It has been found out that the California elementary school principal who killed himself by jumping from a parking lot at Disneyland just days before he was due in court on child endangerment charges was the son of a famous Disney music director.
Chris Christensen, who was 51 years old, killed himself on Saturday night around 9 o’clock, during the Christmas lighting ceremony at the Anaheim theme park. Disney’s new CEO, Bob Iger, was reportedly at this ceremony. The park’s general manager told people about Christensen’s death. He said that what happened was “devastating.”
Christensen’s wife, Marlena, called the police on him during a heated argument in front of their two young daughters, Katelynn and Kara. He was set to go to court on Monday to face charges of endangering the welfare of a child.
In a suicide note he posted on Facebook, Christensen said he was ending his life because he was about to lose his job. Christensen was taken off of his job as principal of Newland Elementary School when the charges were brought against him.
Christensen’s father, Jim, has been in charge of the music at Disneyland and Walt Disney World since the 1960s. He died in 2020 at the age of 84, and people remember him fondly as “a musical legend in the Walt Disney World universe.”
Chris posted a picture of his father at a family get-together on Instagram in November 2019. This was five months before his father died.
This was my dad’s first day at home since 8/15,
he wrote.
He enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner sitting at the head of ‘HIS’ table.
So glad we made this happen for him.
Before he married his wife, Karen, Jim Christensen taught music in both Madison and New York City. He met Karen in Madison, Wisconsin, at the University of Wisconsin.
Karen Christensen played the flute and piccolo in the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and Jim took charge of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. Jim was also in the orchestra and played the trombone.
He was hired by Disney before Disney World, which was in Florida and opened in 1971. In 1963 and 1968, he led the University of Washington Marching Band at the Rose Bowl.
In 1968, Jim and Karen Christensen moved their family from Wisconsin to California with their three sons, Kent, Timothy, and Brad. Chris was born in 1971.
Jim Christensen went on to write music for the Main Street Electrical Parade and many other Disney shows and attractions. He has had 250 works published under his name.
He has been in charge of an All-American College Orchestra at Disney World during the summers for the last ten years. At their reunion in Orlando in 2019, he was honored. Orlando was the location of the reunion.
In 1986 and 1992, two of the Christensen family’s sons got into summer orchestras after doing well in their auditions.
Peter Wilson, a violinist who is also the String Section Commander for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, was the concertmaster of the Walt Disney World All-American College Orchestra in 1990. The orchestra was led by Jim Christensen.
Wilson called him “a legendary musician in the world of Walt Disney World.”
Jim’s arrangements can still be heard at theme parks around the world in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., including all Disney parks, Knott’s Berry Farm, Canada’s Wonderland, Hershey Park, Lotte World (Korea), Everland, and Movie World in Germany,
Wilson said.
I will be forever grateful to Jim for setting such a wonderful example through his never-ending kindness and generosity. His abundant energy on the podium and his excitement about music, performing, and teaching were contagious. He was the perfect man for the job.
im touched so many lives, and even for those who didn’t pursue music professionally beyond that orchestra, his positive impact on all of us during those summers will remain forever.
He shaped who we are today, and his love of life and commitment to young artists are his legacy.
Three out of Jim Christensen’s four sons were good at music.
The oldest Kent died before his father. He was a drummer and taught gymnastics on the side.
Timothy Christensen is a performer, according to Jim’s obituary. He can be seen at both the La Mirada Theater and the Laguna Arts Festival.
Chris ran the Huntington Beach band Seaside Strings, which played at weddings and other events and provided string ensembles. He could play the cello well.
Chris’s wife, Marlena, hasn’t said anything yet about either his sudden death or the accusatory post he made on Facebook.
In his last post, he said that she “let her anger get the best of her,” called the police, and put him in jail, which is why his boss put him on administrative leave. He also felt bad about himself because he had put himself in such a dangerous situation.
In a long post on Facebook, he wrote the following:
‘I think it is safe to say that Marlena truly regrets making that call, because the events of that night have completely unraveled both of our lives.
He continued:
I need you all to know that a gentle, kind, loving and sincerely good man has been destroyed by one unfortunate night.
Christensen said again that he thought “people need to start treating each other better,” and in doing so, he took a subtle shot at his wife.
He wrote that he would use her “anger” to show his friends how anger can “really have very bad effects on a person’s life.”
Due to the accusations, the principal was “on the verge” of losing his job, which he said was one of the reasons he chose to kill himself.
Christensen wrote on Facebook,
I hate when people leave this Earth with so many unanswered questions. So, I hope this provides some insight and perspective.
During the argument, he said that he had never hurt his wife or their daughters, but he was worried that the “extremely flawed” legal system would end up sending an “innocent man” to prison.
Unfortunately, two weeks ago she and I got into a heated argument at home in front of the girls. Tempers were flared and strong words were exchanged between us,’ the man told his friends.
However, never in this exchange did I hit, slap, or hurt Marlena in any manner. Nor did I ever touch the girls (I never have and never will). I love the girls like my own and they know that, as does everyone else who truly knows me.
‘I am on the brink of losing my job, as I am out on administrative leave until my case is “resolved.
So, here I am…writing my final FB post to all of you. I need you all to know that a gentle, kind, loving and sincerely good man has been destroyed by one unfortunate night.
It really is unfortunate! This is NOT me! This is NOT something that I ever thought would happen to me,
he continued.
Christensen thanked his former bosses, friends, and family for giving him the chance to work for the district. He also said that he had enjoyed his job for the past twenty years and more.
I have truly loved educating and leading thousands of students and families as a principal in FVSD for the past 21+ years,
he said.
I have made so many wonderful connections with families over the years and those who know me closely know how much I cared for my students, staff and families.
Christensen wrote in his post that he spent the day before the bad thing “reaching out to those closest to him.”
He added:
This is not an ideal way to go out, but at least I get a chance to say some final words to those who I love and adore.
Please, please, please be kind to one another! Treat each other with kindness and grace.
There is too much anger in the world and people need to start treating each other better. What I’ve shared with you above is a prime example of how “anger” can really have long-lasting and extremely damaging effects on a person’s life.
Christensen had asked his friends and followers to do the following at the beginning of the post:
Please remember me for all the good I brought to the world of education.
In a letter that was sent to Christensen’s family, the Fountain Valley School District confirmed that he had died. He had a job there.
Mr. Christensen has been a respected leader in FVSD for over 20 years,
the statement read.
His contributions and connections to this community are immeasurable. He was a father, husband, brother, and friend to so many. His passing leaves us devastated and heartbroken.
Grief counselors will be available to both students and staff, according to the school district.
